Hello all! I’ve been a lurker for years but finally hopped on the site! Unfortunately I have an issue that I’m really concerned about. I have a Red/Orange Congo Puffer (Tetraodon Mirius) That has just stopped eating. I’ve had him a year and he’s been treated for parasites and is usually a very hearty eater. He hasn’t eaten for 2 weeks. Temp is the same 79f, 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, 5ppm nitrates, totally planted with live plants, 40 gallon, 7 gH, 7 KH. He was consitpated a while back so I put a little salt in the water, he pooped and the salt is now out of the water. He eats a regular diet of raw shrimp in VitaChem, and doesn’t need his teeth trimmed (because he’s a Congo puff). He’s acting normally in every other way. I’m stumped. If anyone has advice I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m getting a bit desperate. I’ve treated him with levamisole and API general in case it was a bug he caught, but he’s still not eating. Only fish in the tank.
Congo Puffer Not Eating
- Thread starter LadyIceHawk
- Start date
Sounds like you're doing everything right...
My only question is what else are you feeding your puffer other than shrimp? Coz i can only guess maybe hes bored of shrimp or hes going through a moodswing and doesnt want to eat...
You should also test for stray electric currents in the tank that may possibly be effecting the fish???
My only question is what else are you feeding your puffer other than shrimp? Coz i can only guess maybe hes bored of shrimp or hes going through a moodswing and doesnt want to eat...
You should also test for stray electric currents in the tank that may possibly be effecting the fish???
I can only get him to eat shrimp - he’s such a picky boy. Sometimes I sneak in mussels and scallops and he will usually down it before he realizes it’s not shrimp. How would I check for electric currents in my tank? And thank you so much for the response. We really love our little guy; it’s been really hard to watch him struggle and not know what to do.
congos definitely can be quite picky eaters thats for sure...
For stray currents there are electrical meters you can get for testing, i mean chances are very slim thats the problem but just wanted to throw that out there for you to consider...
Also, unless his stomach is sunken in rather than just flat, i probably wouldnt worry too much as maybe hes still full...
For absolute worse case scenario, you could try and throw in a few quarantined guppies or something similar to see if thay will trigger his appetite...
For stray currents there are electrical meters you can get for testing, i mean chances are very slim thats the problem but just wanted to throw that out there for you to consider...
Also, unless his stomach is sunken in rather than just flat, i probably wouldnt worry too much as maybe hes still full...
For absolute worse case scenario, you could try and throw in a few quarantined guppies or something similar to see if thay will trigger his appetite...
At this point I’ll try anything! I unplugged the only thing that could be creating an electrical current. I was going to try some guppies to see if he will try to eat them. His belly is flat and not sunken in at all. He’s also acting normal which is why I’m stumped! I’ve heard puffs can occasionally decide to go on a hunger strike but he’s been a butt about food for the last two weeks. If you think of anything else, please let me know. Thank you so much for your response
At this point I’ll try anything! I unplugged the only thing that could be creating an electrical current. I was going to try some guppies to see if he will try to eat them. His belly is flat and not sunken in at all. He’s also acting normal which is why I’m stumped! I’ve heard puffs can occasionally decide to go on a hunger strike but he’s been a butt about food for the last two weeks. If you think of anything else, please let me know. Thank you so much for your response
Welcome aboard
At this point I’ll try anything! I unplugged the only thing that could be creating an electrical current. I was going to try some guppies to see if he will try to eat them. His belly is flat and not sunken in at all. He’s also acting normal which is why I’m stumped! I’ve heard puffs can occasionally decide to go on a hunger strike but he’s been a butt about food for the last two weeks. If you think of anything else, please let me know. Thank you so much for your response
From a strictly personal standpoint, i never used to worry too much about my puffers unless there stomach was obviously sunken in or they hadnt eaten for about 2-3 weeks...
Normally by week 3 you start to see their stomach sinking in at which point they usually get hungry and will take food...
Also, since you said you have a picky congo, do you use things like forceps etc to dangle food infront of his face to try and trigger him or do you just throw the food in and hope for the best...
Coz if you use the latter option, maybe try get something to dangle his food infront of his face to trick him into thinking its live food...
Last but not least, you could try using some garlic juice to soak his food to try and entice him to eat, since the odor from the garlic should make him at least try the food items...
Thank you so much for your response! Perhaps I’ll wait it out a bit. I did try soaking his food in garlic and we hand feed him. Normally he’s a bottomless pit and will gobble food he likes without even chewing. He is very picky so it’s entirely possible he’s on a hunger strike. He’s pretty stubborn when he wants to be!